MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.— The Miami University men's basketball team fell to Central Michigan 71-55 Tuesday night.
Darweshi Hunter led the RedHawks (9-10, 3-4 MAC) in scoring with 16 points, while
Anderson Mirambeaux totaled 13 and
Mekhi Cooper added 11. Anthony Pritchard led the Chippewas (10-9, 5-2 MAC) offensively with 18 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- A pair of early layups from Cooper and Eian Elmer kept Miami within one at 5-4. The Chippewas were able to use a 6-0 run to increase their advantage to 11-4. Ryan Mabrey knocked down a three to bring Miami within two at 11-9. The Chippewas responded by stretching their lead to 21-9 with 10:34 remaining in the first half. Mirambeaux ended this scoring run by driving through the lane for a strong layup. Cooper followed this up with a pull up jumper to make it 21-13.
- Mirambeaux scored two consecutive driving buckets to bring the score under double digits at 26-17. The RedHawks entered halftime trailing 38-20.
- Miami edged Central Michigan 6-5 in the opening five minutes of the second half to make it 43-26. Central Michigan extended its lead to 49-29 with 12:47 left to play. With just over 10 minutes on the game clock, Hunter put in a pull up jumper, and Evan Ipsaro scored a step back jumper in the lane to trail 49-36.
- Hunter recorded an offensive rebound that led to a layup and added a pair of free throws to stay within 15 points at 55-40. Cooper used a euro step through the lane to finish a layup, and Mirambeaux added a layup of his own the the next possession. Bryce Bultman scored a three from the left corner to shrink the Chippewa lead to 55-47 with 5:19 to play. Hunter scored back-to-back buckets to make it 62-52 with 3:31 remaining, but the Red and White would get no closer.
GAME NOTES:
- Bultman matched the game-high seven rebounds.
- Ipsaro totaled a team-high four assists.
WHAT'S NEXT:
The RedHawks return home to take on Akron Saturday, Jan. 27 at 1 p.m.
